Underwater treadmill training (UWTT) is a new hydrotherapy technique, with features of immersion bath, under water walking and body-weight support treadmill training. UWTT can reduce the load on legs, release spasm, improve gait, muscle atrophy and remain muscle strengthen for SCI patients. It also reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease, and incidence of postural hypotension. The present studies on UWTT are insufficient. More researches should further explore the therapeutic effects on SCI.

Vaccination is the primary strategy for the prevention and control of pandemic influenza. Because influenza virus is highly variable across strains, universal influenza vaccines need to be developed to address this problem. This review describes the research progress in conserved epitopes of influenza virus, the advances in the research and development of universal influenza vaccines based on the relatively conserved sequences of NP, M2e, HA2, and headless HA, the mechanisms of cross-protection, and the methods to improve cross-protection.
Animals ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Orthomyxoviridae ; immunology ; Species Specificity ; Viral Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To identify differences in the anal sphincter surface electromyography (sEMG)variables in spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects with different severities. Methods One hundred and ten SCI patients' impairments were classified as ASIA A,B,C or D using the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.The evaluation was pedormed using sEMG equipment with an inserted anal sensor electrode and the Glazer pelvic floor muscle sEMG protocol.The sEMG variables were recorded and compared. Results There was no significant difference in sEMG variables between groups A and B,but the mean and maximum sEMG values of groups C and D in flick contractions ( 1 s),tonic contractions ( 10 s),and endurance contractions (60 s) were significantly higher than those of group A.Compared with group C,the mean and maximum sEMG values of group D were all significantly higher. Conclusions The sEMG data from the anal sphincter during contractions decreases significantly after SCI.Glazer's pelvic floor muscle sEMG protocol is a noninvasive and convenient real-time assessment.It is a useful complementary tool for quantitative assessment of the pelvic floor muscles of SCI patients.

Teaching of Critical Care Medicine faces several challenging issues includingcomprehensive intensive or specialist intensive, approach of curriculum, tralning of team working ability, building of teaching platform and teaching staff. Critical care medical education requires the concept of viewing the discipline as a whole. Under its guidance and with the opportunity of critical care medical subspecialties building, critical care medical education should focus on bothcompre-hensive critical care and specialist critical care, and have rational planning of Critical Care Medicine course. Through the construction and integration of ICU, we should create a comprehen-sive clinical practice platform of critical care medicine to carry out clinical practice and team work tralning. Meanwhile, construction of quality critical care medicine faculty should be based on its pro-fessional features.

Animals ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; prevention & control ; virology ; Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To develop a comprehensive rehabilitation information system based on browser/server (B/S) structure, to implement entry, retrieval, statistics, analysis, browsing and exhibition of electronic data in rehabilitation medicine. Methods Based on the systematic analysis of the rehabilitation work flow and the data need to be disposed, a distributed database system was established, and some modules of applications were developed, such as treatment planning, efficacy evaluation, outcome prediction and performance appraisal. Results The simplified version of Hydrotherapy Comprehensive Rehabilitation Information System was initially developed based on Ruby on Ralis framework and PostgreSQL database, and tested in the local area network of China Rehabilitation Research Center. Conclusion The comprehensive rehabilitation information system based on B/S structure is feasible, and shows the potentialities to improve the team work in rehabilitation based on internet.

Objective To observe the effect of underwater treadmill training on patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods 11 patients with incomplete SCI were treated with underwater treadmill training, besides other comprehensive rehabilitation. Motor and sense scores were assessed using ASIA2000 standard and recorded before and after the underwater treadmill training. Walking distances, maximal walking velocity when training and changes of activities of daily living (ADL) before and after training were also recorded.Results After underwater treadmill training, the sense score of ASIA increased ( P<0.05), motor score of ASIA, and scores of walking distance, maximal walking velocity and ADL increased significantly ( P<0.01).Conclusion The underwater treadmill training along with other routine rehabilitation treatment may be helpful to improve motor and sensory functions and ADL of patients with incomplete SCI.

Objective To identify the relationship of pelvic floor muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) variables and the items ofthe International Bowel Function Basic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Data Set in patients with SCI. Methods 180 SCI patients were divided intoGroup A, B, C and D according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (American Spinal InjuryAssociation, ASIA). Testi was performed on 180 SCI subjects utilizing sEMG equipment, an inserted anal sensor electrode, and the Glazerprotocol. Questionnaire of the items in the International Bowel Function Basic SCI Data Set were conducted. Results The values of pelvicmuscle sEMG variables were significantly correlated with awareness of the need to defecate, major defecation method, average time requiredfor defecation, frequency of fecal incontinence, need to wear pad or plug (P<0.05), as well as the impairment scale of ASIA (P<0.01).Conclusion Glazer pelvic floor muscle sEMG protocol and questionnaire of the International Bowel Function Basic SCI Data Set are usefulcomplementary methods for the choice of hydrotherapy types in patients with SCI.

The primary object of this fundamental research was to survey the synergistic cardiovascular effects of iptakalim, a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, and clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs, such as calcium antagonists, thiazide diuretics and β receptor blockers by a 2 x 2 factorial-design experiment. It would provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combined antihypertensive therapy program after iptakalim is applied to the clinic. Amlodipine besylate, hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol were chosen as clinical first-line antihypertensive drugs. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and cardiac functions were observed in anesthetized normal rats by an eight-channel physiological recorder. The results showed that iptakalim monotherapy in a low dose could produce significant antihypertensive effect. There was no interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), and the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) (P > 0.05). However, the effects of combination iptakalim/amlodipine on the maximal changes of SBP, DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP were more obvious than those of iptakalim or amlodipine monotherapy. And there was strong positive interaction between iptakalim and amlodipine on the maximal changes of HR (P>0.05). According to the maximal changes of DBP, MABP, LVSP and LVEDP (P < 0.05) of combination iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide, there was strong positive interaction between them. But there was no interaction between iptakalim and hydrochlorothiazide on the maximal drop of SBP and HR (P > 0.05). According to the maximal drops of DBP, MABP of combination iptakalim with propranolol, there was strong positive interaction between them (P < 0.05). But there was no interaction between iptakalim and propranolol on the maximal changes of SBP, LVSP, LVEDP and HR (P > 0.05). In conclusion, it was the first time to study the effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol, which had different mechanisms of action from iptakalim, on cardiovascular effects of iptakalim in anesthetized normal rats. This study proved that the combination of iptakalim with hydrochlorothiazide or propranolol respectively had significant synergism on lowering blood pressure, while the combination of iptakalim/amlodipine had additive action on lowering blood pressure. Meanwhile the antihypertensive effect was explicit, stable and long-lasting. Iptakalim thus appears suitable for the clinical treatment of hypertensive people who need two or more kinds of antihypertensive agents.
Amlodipine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Heart Rate ; Hydrochlorothiazide ; pharmacology ; Hypertension ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of non-neuronal muscarinic receptors (NNMR) stimulation on atherosclerosis and endothelial cells activation.

METHODSAtherosclerosis model was established in ApoE-/- mice by a high fat diet for 7 weeks. During the experimental periods, animals were received a low (7 mg/kg/d) or a high (21 mg/kg/d) dose of arecoline by gavage. At the termination of the treatments, serum total cholesterol and NO levels were measured, and the aorta morphology was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The gene expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and adhesion molecules in the thoracic aortas was determined by RT-PCR, and the MCP-1 protein expression and NF-κB activity were detected by Western blot analysis. NO production, MCP-1 secretion in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs), and monocyte-endothelium adhesion assay were also performed after arecoline treatments.

RESULTSArecoline efficiently decreased atherosclerotic plaque areas, increased serum nitric oxide (NO) content, suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1, and modulated the IκB-α degradation and P65 phosphorylation in the aortae of ApoE-/- mice. Furthermore, arecoline promoted NO production and suppressed MCP-1 secretion in cultured RAECs after ox-LDL exposure, and either atropine or NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester could abrogate these effects. Arecoline also significantly inhibited the adherence of U937 monocytes to the ox-LDL injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which could be abolished by atropine.

CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that arecoline attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis and inhibits endothelial cells activation and adherence by stimulating endothelial NNMR. These effects, at least in part, are due to its modulation on NF-κB activity.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Apolipoproteins E ; Arecoline ; pharmacology ; Atherosclerosis ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; cytology ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitroarginine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; physiology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism